The former First Baptist Church Friday July 11, 2014, on Third Street in Troy, N.Y. The RPI fraternity that bought the former First Baptist Church will repaint the towering 177-foot-tall white steeple in September. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

The former First Baptist Church Friday July 11, 2014, on Third Street in Troy, N.Y. The RPI fraternity that bought the former First Baptist Church will repaint the towering 177-foot-tall white steeple in September. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Photo: Michael P. Farrell

The former First Baptist Church Friday July 11, 2014, on Third...

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The former First Baptist Church Friday July 11, 2014, on Third Street in Troy, N.Y. The RPI fraternity that bought the former First Baptist Church will repaint the towering 177-foot-tall white steeple in September. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

The former First Baptist Church Friday July 11, 2014, on Third Street in Troy, N.Y. The RPI fraternity that bought the former First Baptist Church will repaint the towering 177-foot-tall white steeple in September. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

Fraternity sign outside the former First Baptist Church Friday July 11, 2014, on Third Street in Troy, N.Y. The RPI fraternity that bought the former First Baptist Church will repaint the towering 177-foot-tall white steeple in September. (Michael P. Farrell/Times Union)

The RPI fraternity that bought the former First Baptist Church will repaint the towering 177-foot-tall white steeple in September.

The Troy Local Development Corp. agreed Friday to provide $15,000 in loans and grants to pay for the $23,200 repainting project at 80-82 Third St.

Phi Gamma Delta's Tau Nu chapter plans to have 38 members living in the former church complex, which includes the church and a former school, when Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute begins its fall semester.

"The steeple goes back to the 1820s era," said Red Griffin, the fraternity's attorney.

"This is one of the most historic buildings in the historic downtown of Troy," he said.

Griffin said plans are to apply the new coat of white paint in September.

The $23,200 steeple project will cap off the $850,000 restoration of the historic buildings and conversion of the school building into a 50-bed fraternity house. The Troy LDC board voted unanimously to provide a $5,000 grant and a $10,000 loan for the steeple painting.

The spire is so tall that it can be seen from many parts of the city. Paint currently can be seen peeling from the tower.

Fiji, as the fraternity is nicknamed, is relocating from its house at 76 Albright Court. Members have helped beautify the adjacent Barker Park as part of their pledge to be good neighbors.

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The Third Street property had been owned by the church since 1796 until the fraternity acquired it. Samuel Wilson, the inspiration for the Uncle Sam character, the iconic personification of the United States, was a member of the church.

In other business, the Troy LDC voted unanimously to extend the land disposition agreement with 444 River Lofts, Inc., for the purchases of the Marvin Neitzel Building at 444 River St. for another six months.

The Vecino Group, which is the developer of the site, has proposed investing $15.2 million in the 444 River Lofts project. Plans call for 5,812 square feet of commercial space and 75 market-rate city-style loft apartments.

The latest extension brings to two years the total time the agreement between the TLDC and the developer has been extended. If the project does not begin in the next six months, the TLDC will review its options.